The battle of the 21st century : economy versus the environment : a zero-sum game? : the implications of living in a greenhouse century

Abstract

Concern with protecting the environment for the benefit of present and future generations is now at the center of the international agenda. In particular there is growing concern for the need of international action to implement realistic and workable solutions for the reduction of man-made emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. This study deals with the various issues related to this topic from the effects and implications of living in a warming planet to the international response to such concerns and the efforts taken to mobilize global effort to respond to climate change. The greenhouse effect is among man's potentially most pressing environmental problems, one that represents major scientific, environmental, economic, social and political changes. This thesis attempts to analyse the scientific, economic and political issues of taking action since climate change is a matter of real politics moreover when every industrialized nation has signed up to the UN Convention on Climate Change. In a nutshell significant changes in energy use, transportation and human behaviour are necessary to achieve global C02 cuts to the point where no threat to global survival is any longer present. It highlights the fact that there exist no dichotomy between sustainable economic growth and the environment and that the ultimate objective of both is the same. A healthy economy depends on a healthy environment, as the natural environment is the ultimate source of all material inputs and services upon which the world economy depends. Climate change will indeed figure more and more at the top of the political and the economic agenda and it is there to stay. Climate change is the long-term sustainability issue par excellence with a majm impact on om societies tlus century. Hopefully this thesis would instigate awareness of the need that the issue of climate change would be taken on board when formulating energy and economic policies.